Women have been called queens for a long time, but the kingdom given them isn't worth ruling.
Louisa May AlcottRead
Money is a needful and precious thing, and when well used, a noble thing, but I never want you to think it is the first or only prize to strive for. I'd rather see you poor men's wives, if you were happy, beloved, contented, than queens on thrones, without self-respect and peace.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Money is valuable but not the ultimate goal in life; happiness and self-respect are more important.
In this quote, Louisa May Alcott emphasizes that while money is an essential and beneficial resource when used wisely, it should not be regarded as the primary aim in life. She advocates for valuing happiness, love, and personal integrity over wealth, arguing that it is better to live simply but contentedly than to possess riches without self-respect and peace of mind.
Themes
MoneyHappinessSelf-RespectContentmentWealth
In practice
Example use cases
In a graduation speech to remind students about the importance of values over wealth.
More from Louisa May Alcott
All quotes →You have grown abominably lazy, and you like gossip, and waste time on frivolous things, you are contented to be petted and admired by silly people, instead of being loved and respected by wise ones.
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"Stay" is a charming word in a friend's vocabulary.
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... swept into the giddy vortex which keeps so many young people revolving aimlessly, till they go down or are cast upon the shore, wrecks of what they might have been
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Simple, genuine goodness is the best capital to found the business of this life upon. It lasts when fame and money fail, and is the only riches we can take out of this world with us.
Louisa May AlcottRead
It takes two flints to make a fire.
Louisa May AlcottRead
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